Sanders Quits 2020 US Democratic Presidential Campaign

By Staff, Agencies

Leading US Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders has ended his presidential campaign, paving the way for his rival, former Vice President Joe Biden, to win the Democratic presidential race.

This is Sanders' second failed attempt to grab the Democratic party’s nomination after he fell short of defeating former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in 2016 primaries.

"The path toward victory is virtually impossible," Sanders said in a livestreamed speech to supporters from his hometown of Burlington, Vermont, on Wednesday.

"I have concluded that this battle for the Democratic nomination will not be successful. And so today, I am announcing the suspension of my campaign," the 78-year-old US senator added.

Sanders’ exit comes after a series of losses to Biden, beginning in South Carolina in late February and continuing with losses in crucial states like Michigan and Florida last month.

Meanwhile, as the first reaction to Sanders’ departure, Biden urged Sanders’ supporters to join his campaign.

"I see you, I hear you, and I understand the urgency of what it is we have to get done in this country," Biden said in a statement on Wednesday. "I hope you will join us. You are more than welcome. You're needed."

Biden had already amassed a nearly insurmountable delegate lead over Sanders but would have been unable to secure the 1,991 delegates needed to clinch the nomination until at least June after a handful of states delayed their primaries because of the coronavirus pandemic.

US President Donald Trump also asked Sanders' supporters on Wednesday to join the Republican party.

"Bernie Sanders is OUT! Thank you to Elizabeth Warren. If not for her, Bernie would have won almost every state on Super Tuesday!" Trump tweeted.